Political Quotes

“I rise as a proud cosponsor of this amendment and I say to all my colleagues, it is time for a reality check. I spent 14 years in law enforcement before being elected to this great institution, and I could argue for hours against why prisoners should not be allowed to have Pell grants, but, instead, I would like to read a letter I received in my district from Tamaqua. The woman states: Where is an average, hard-working student who wants to make something of herself and get somewhere in life supposed to turn for help? Over the years we have told our daughter, ``Keep your nose clean, stay out of trouble. If you have a police record, you will never get into college.'' My daughter has listened, but where has it gotten her? She reads about prisoners getting Pell grants and free college educations. What does this tell her? It tells her: If she was sitting in jail she would get a free education. Just where does a hard-working normal honor student involved in many extra curricular activities not only in school but also in the community go for help? The prisoner is rewarded with a free education. The average honor student is penalized because she tried to save money for college and she is penalized because she stayed out of trouble. Who can justify all of this?”